Chapter 15 – Textile Recycling

Textiles are nearly 100% recyclable, yet for a variety of reasons many textiles end up in the landfill. In recent years, special attention to value-added products made from recycled textile materials is on the rise as consumers, policy makers, engineers and industry experts focus on environmental stewardship, strategic partnerships and holistic approaches that contribute significantly to the recycling process. This chapter describes the recycling process and the various categories that are considered as recycling companies manage the plethora of textiles that enter the recycling stream. By recycling textiles, the punitive costs of landfill are avoided. In addition, the recycling process contributes significantly to employment, charitable contributions and positive environmental impact.